Boost to Manchester as TDA begins recruitment to new home in the Northwest

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has begun recruiting staff in Manchester as part of its phased move to the city.

The TDA is seeking initially to recruit staff into middle to senior management policy posts to fill those that are becoming vacant within its current London-based operation.

The TDA is relocating to Manchester under terms of the Lyons review, which seeks to secure efficiencies in running costs and at the same time boost regional economies by relocating key Government functions away from London and the Southeast. The majority of posts at the TDA are expected to be filled by recruits from Manchester and the surrounding regions.

The decision to relocate the TDA was made by Ministers at the then Department for Education and Skills in 2005.

Graham Holley, the TDA’s Chief Executive said: “The TDA is a key national agency with an enviable record of delivery. Our arrival in Manchester is exciting news for the city and region, and a fresh start for us. Manchester was chosen after extensive consultation. It is a dynamic and vibrant city, and I am looking forward to welcoming the skilled and enthusiastic professionals of Manchester and the surrounding regions who will be joining us. We are working with our customers, partners and suppliers to ensure that it will be business as usual during the transition to Manchester.”

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “The decision by the TDA to choose Manchester as its new home is great news for the city region. As well as creating jobs across all levels of their organisation, particularly at policy level, it is a further example of Manchester becoming the location of choice for public sector relocations.

"Our city region offers a wide catchment area of first-rate employees with excellent transport links accessing the rest of the country – and we look forward to providing further assistance to the TDA in creating an exceptional educational body.”